Author Topic: warning on c3 rear suspension (Read 10701 times)

nifty · « **on:** April 15, 2007, 09:30:11 PM »

buddy pud pulled into a shopping centre today in his 73 coupe...he stopped and the left rear leaf spring collapsed....he got it fixed but is going to make stronger brackets...im not exactly sure what broke as yet.gus tells me he has heard of 2 more cars in s.a. with the same problem.all c3's and all in the last 12mths.

Cameron 77C3 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2007, 09:38:28 PM »

But the rear spring is one big spring that runs from left to right. Keep us posted as to what it exactly was please.

Cam

Vette Obsessed · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2007, 09:41:15 PM »

Was it one of the mounts near the diff? I've seen them fail once before years ago. I think it was one of the bolts that let go.

One of the reasons it never hurts to give your car a once over (and under) at some sort of routine level. Most of our cars are over 10 years old - things happen once the years catch up with them.

nifty · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2007, 09:41:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Cameron 77C3
But the rear spring is one big spring that runs from left to right. Keep us posted as to what it exactly was please.

Cam

i probably worded that wrong...the left hand side bracket for the spring gave way.....

nifty · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2007, 09:43:16 PM »

i will catch up with pud and get more of a clue what exactly gave way.

Cameron 77C3 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2007, 09:55:15 PM »

I'll lay odds it was the spring link bolt/cup/rubbers that let go. This is the single bolt that connect the transverse spring to the trailing arm.

Let us know
Thanks
Cam

demonx · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2007, 06:29:50 AM »

Sometimes when I'm cornering like evil Knevil and hear the Vette flex like a coke can being crushed the thought enters my mind that it is a 31 years old vehicle...

Interested to know (as is everyone else) so I can have a look.

smokem · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2007, 01:13:37 PM »

maybe not meant to have C3's in S.A. . its a omen . ;39

nifty · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2007, 10:10:18 PM »

"the bolt from chassis to spring pulled through the chassis bush and washer and chassis"

copy of email from pud....he WAS driving it at the time.pulled into shops,hit the sppon drain a bit hard and it fell on the floor leaving a gouge in the road....

Vette Obsessed · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2007, 11:09:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by nifty

copy of email from pud....he WAS driving it at the time. it fell on the floor leaving a gouge in the road....

I've done that with the front end of a car I was driving.

Not fun. ;40

Thanks for the update nifty. ;42

77CVT · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2007, 01:54:51 PM »

Bummer!

Spring bolts should have a pin under the nut for added safety. Sometimes the diff can crack around where the spring cradle goes.

They ain't getting any younger so drive while you can!! ;46

Scott · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2007, 07:48:26 PM »

The tension rod on my car had pulled through the comtrol arm. It was fixed by using a longer rod, and passing it through to the top of the control arm...

Is there a piccy of this failure?

nifty · « **Reply #12 on:** April 19, 2007, 09:37:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Scott

The tension rod on my car had pulled through the comtrol arm. It was fixed by using a longer rod, and passing it through to the top of the control arm...

Is there a piccy of this failure?

not yet...hes at work now, will email him and see if he can ge a pic.

nifty · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2007, 10:20:43 PM »

pics comiing soon...pud tells me it connects the spring to the swing arm...this is the no failure side but is almost ready to let go as well...the bolt head has almost pulled through the washer...new hi tensile bolts fitted.

Cameron 77C3 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 27, 2007, 10:25:02 PM »

Did ya know the the orignal bolts have a slight step in their shank where the rubber and washers are. This is to allow for movement when the whole thing moves. Standard grade 8 high tensile will work but they will wear the rubber cups/washers over time.

nifty · « **Reply #15 on:** April 27, 2007, 10:27:51 PM »

will pass it on to pud.

nifty · « **Reply #16 on:** April 27, 2007, 10:33:29 PM »

77CVT · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:36:23 AM »

An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.

nifty · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2007, 10:14:07 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by 77CVT
An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.

agree with that...the other DID snap.

Chromie · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2007, 05:38:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by nifty
Quote
Originally posted by 77CVT
An accident waiting to happen! They wouldn't have held much longer.

agree with that...the other DID snap.

;51 I mean this will all due respect, but what can one say here, but the reliability of a vehicle depends upon its maintainance, and judging by the pictures it was due for replacement "YEARS" ago;53
It appears that a lot of people sometimes never think they sould just simply look around and under their vehicle;37, if you see suspension rubber out of shape or cracked replace it;30, if you see rust or cracks in chassis rail or suspension parts attend to it:mmm, if you see unsecured wires near exhaust secure it;38, if you are topping up the cooling system,engine oil, brake fluid there is something seriously wrong so at least get it seen too so you at least know what the problem is and if it is dangerous or not.;50
After all it never hurts to at least know how bad a problem/fault is;48